Destiny's Captive (20 page)

“Hey!”

The men went silent as the dead. The rider stared at her in confusion. Pilar asked him “What's your name, sir?” The horse reared and bellowed again.

“Uh, Danny, ma'am,” he said keeping one eye on her and the other on the horse.

“Danny, I'm Pilar. Nice to meet you.”

He swallowed. “Same here.”

“Would you do me a favor and remove the horse's saddle please?”

His eyes shot to Eli.

The horse, breathing heavily, reared and screamed his anger.

“I don't think he's going to let me do that, ma'am.”

“Okay. Leave me alone with him then.”

His alarm mirrored the others. “I don't think that's wise.”

“It's okay. Bring me a bucket of water please He's probably thirsty.”

He looked to Eli, who leaned against the fence and asked, “Mrs. Yates, please come back out here before you get hurt. If something happens, I'll never forgive myself.”

“I've done this many times, and please call me Pilar.” She made deliberate eye contact with the stallion for the first time. It stared back angrily.

“Please, Pilar.”

“A bucket, Mr. Braden. I promise you, I won't be hurt. I know what I'm doing.”

As if sensing her determination, he sighed and surrendered. “Okay. Danny, get the water, and Pilar, when your husband and his brothers kill me, have them send the pieces to my lady Naomi in town.”

The water was delivered and handed over. Pilar carried the heavy container to the center of the pen and set it down. She sat in the dirt beside it. “Mr. Braden, I need you and the men to move away from the fence and to stay very quiet.”

They reluctantly withdrew and once they did, they watched and waited.

When Noah and his brothers returned from town one of the stable hands told them what was going on over at the horse rings and they hurried over. He expected to find her on the ground broken like a rag doll, but instead found her simply sitting in the dirt and talking to the stallion in soft Spanish as it stood watching her warily from the corner of the pen.

Noah asked Eli, “Why's she sitting down? Was she thrown?”

Logan asked Eli, “What the hell is going on?!”

“Keep your voices down. She wants everybody to be quiet.”

Noah scanned for any injuries. “Is she hurt?” he asked urgently.

“No. She hasn't tried to ride him. She's just been sitting talking real quiet. Been in there about thirty minutes now. Told me the way we were trying to break the stallion was the wrong way.”

Logan gritted out, “Noah, go get your wife.”

Noah ignored him for the moment to ask Eli, “Why'd you let her in there?”

“Had no choice. She climbed the fence over my objections. What is it with your wives? They don't listen very well.”

Drew cracked, “Aren't you the one marrying Naomi Pearl in less than two weeks?”

“Touché,” Eli replied.

Noah was still concerned about her safety. The huge stallion could charge and kill her if he decided to, but she seemed to be perfectly calm.

“Noah,” Logan warned. “If she gets hurt, Lanza will feed us to the bears.”

“She seems fine, Logan, besides, she might take a machete to us if we make her come out. How about we just wait and see what happens.”

Logan threw up his hands.

Drew asked, “Does she really know what she's doing?”

Noah shrugged. “I've no idea.” This was an aspect of his wife he knew nothing about—probably one of many.

Eli said in a loud whisper, “Keep your voices down.”

So they quieted.

Logan quietly fumed.

In the pen, Pilar, speaking Spanish, was telling the horse a fairy tale about a poor little country girl who married a prince. She knew the horse had no idea what she was saying, but it was the sound of her voice that she wanted him to become familiar with and when his ears went up a few minutes ago, he apparently was. She also wanted to remove the saddle. It was far too soon in the process for the men to have put the weight of it across his back, but she doubted Titan, as she'd name him, would let her get close enough to do so. For now it would have to remain. “I know you're thirsty,” she cooed softly. “Crazy Americans have bruised your pride by capturing you and putting you in this pen.” She slowly moved her hand back and forth through the water letting the horse hear the sound. “I'd be angry, too. Come and drink. I won't hurt you or even touch you this time. I promise.”

Every now and then the horse would rear and race around the enclosure as if wanting her to know who was really in charge. Pilar kept a keen eye on him but she didn't move.

An hour after taking her seat, half the ranch had drifted over to watch the goings on, including Alanza, Billie, Mariah, and the children.

Finally the horse began a slow approach and then stopped about three feet away. He reared and called a challenge. Pilar eyed him. He eyed her. She continued to speak softly. “I'm not going to move, my bronze titan, so come and drink and we can get to know each other.”

And to the amazement of everyone outside the pen, the horse slowly closed the space, dropped his large head and drank. A few cheers went up, but were sharply silenced by those nearby and Pilar was grateful. She'd come too far to have the stallion spooked by loud noise now. He drank almost greedily.

“You've had a pretty rough day, haven't you?” she said sympathetically.

Once the horse drank his fill, he retreated to the far side of the pen.

She didn't mind. She'd accomplished her goal for the day. Rising slowly to her feet, she walked over to the fence, climbed to the upper rung, and simply sat where the silent watching stallion could see her.

Out in the crowd, Noah was grinning from ear to ear. He now understood her request to work with the animals but he'd dismissed her out of hand. She'd certainly showed him.

Drew asked Logan quietly, “What's she doing now?”

“How the hell do I know, but I think she just got hired, especially if he'll let her ride him.”

Smiling at the pride in Logan's voice, Noah turned from his brothers and turned his attention back to watching his incredible wife.

She sat for there for another thirty minutes, then climbed down.

As she approached him, Noah asked her, “Can we talk now?”

Amusement sparkled in her eyes. “Yes.”

“That was pretty incredible.”

“Save the applause for when he actually allows me on his back. And Logan, let him be. No one is to try and ride him. I'd like to come back later and take the saddle off and the bit out of his mouth. It's probably hurting him.”

“Okay,” he said, eyeing her like he wasn't sure who she might be. “Anything else, boss?”

“No. I think that's it for now. Oh, and I've named him Titan in honor of Cuba's ‘Bronze Titan' General Antonio Maceo. I hope that's okay?”

Logan grinned. “It is.”

“I know that my way of doing this will probably take longer than what you and your men are used to, but that's a very special animal. Who will his owner be?”

“You. He's the most bullheaded stallion I've ever had. If you can ride him. He's yours.”

Her eyes widened with surprise and she glanced back at Titan. “Truly?”

“My wedding gift. So, work your magic, little sister. I just want to watch and learn.”

She threw her arms around his waist. “Thank you!”

“You're welcome.”

Later, after dinner, night was falling when she and Noah went back out to the corral. Titan was still wearing his saddle. According to Logan in order to get it on him initially, they'd had to hobble his legs, and it had taken every hand he had to accomplish the task. Pilar didn't want the stallion to suffer through that again, but it might be necessary in order to remove it.

Watching the horse race around, she marveled at his beauty. She called to him. His ears perked up and he charged in her direction but didn't stop, and ran right by her. She laughed.

“You're not going back in there, are you?” Noah asked in a concerned tone.

“No, but I wish I wasn't going to San Francisco in the morning, so that I could when I get up.”

“You'd rather play with a horse than shop? No woman alive has ever said that.”

“Hush,” she replied watching Titan rear. “He's showing off. He knows how handsome he is.”

“I think I'm getting jealous.”

“And you have good reason. I can't believe Logan offered him to me.”

“My brother has a generous soul beneath all that crustiness. He just doesn't like to show it.”

She shivered as the night air rolled in. “It's getting chilly. Time to go.” She gave her stallion one last look. “Good night, Titan.”

He reared. She shook her head at the display and she and Noah walked back to the house.

A
s the Yates women left the train in San Francisco, Pilar couldn't contain her excitement. A few days ago, when she and Noah had come through the city, she had no desire to see the sights, all she wanted was to reach the ranch and never see another train, but now, she was embarking on a grand adventure led by Queen Alanza, and the only thing that would've made the day better was having her sister Doneta by her side. Doneta was on her way, however, so Pilar put her longing away and enjoyed her present company. Their first stop was a beautiful hotel. She was certain when they entered the grand lobby that segregation would get them thrown out on their rears but either the place didn't support the demeaning practice or the clerk behind the counter was too afraid of the imperious Alanza to enforce it. Whatever the reason, they were ushered into a luxurious suite of rooms that opened up to each other allowing them each a bed of their own. The window looked out on the bustling city streets below.

Because Billie and Alanza knew San Francisco well, Mariah and Pilar let them lead. They visited shops that sold gossamer-thin night wear, seductive corsets, and silken hose. Pilar had no idea what she was doing, so Billie and Mariah jumped in and picked out garments for her that were in some cases scandalous—like a little black corset with emerald buttons—and beautiful, like an indigo silk kimono. They chose bedroom attire that would for sure make Noah's eyes pop from his face and roll around on the floor, and Pilar couldn't wait for him to see her wearing it and then slowly strip it away. There were shoes to try on and purchase, hats to laugh over, and other items to add to their haul. They made sure Pilar purchased day gowns and shirtwaists and skirts. Because she had no coats, Alanza gifted her with two. By the time it came to consider trudging back to the hotel under the mountainous weight of their purchases, Pilar was stunned by all the money they'd spent but giddy with the joy of the hunt. Who knew shopping could be so exhilarating. On the way back, Alanza insisted on stopping at her favorite chocolatier, an establishment known as Ghirardelli's, and the ladies bought a bevy of the sweets. As they left the store, Pilar saw a shop that had something displayed in its window that immediately caught her eye. “I have to go in here.”

The others followed. The interior was an eclectic mix of goods ranging from toys to writing implements and paints and brushes to music boxes and beautifully ornate fans. She selected some oil paints for her husband as a thank-you to him, and while Mariah and Billie conversed over the toys, Pilar asked the gentleman behind the counter, “How much is that rapier in the window?”

He looked her up and down and sneered. “Probably more than you can afford.”

Pilar stilled. “Excuse me?”

“And even if you could afford it, I wouldn't sell it to a woman.”

She closed her eyes to keep her temper in check. “Are you the owner?”

“I'm his eldest nephew.”

By then Alanza had stepped to her side. “What's the problem, Pilar?”

“I would like to purchase the rapier displayed in the window but this one says I can't afford it and even if I could he wouldn't sell it to me because I'm a woman.”

“What does a woman know about swords?” he tossed out.

“If I geld you with it beforehand may I purchase it?”

He laughed. “Of course, but as I am classically trained and you know nothing about such things, why don't you just pay for what you have in your hand and leave the store?”

Pilar, muttering murderously in Spanish strode over to the window, grabbed the rapier and stalked back.

The clerk's eyes went round.

“Choose your weapon!” she snapped.

His laugh was thinner. “Surely you don't expect me to—”

“You just insulted my skill, my gender, and my purse and you expect me to simply titter and go away? Get a sword, and if your classically trained arse has to go home to retrieve one, I will wait.”

The other customers in the store began gathering and whispering.

An older gentleman came out of the back. Seeing the steel in Pilar's gaze and her equally steely hold on the rapier in her hand, his shocked eyes flew to his red-faced nephew, back to Pilar and then to the silent but coldly furious Alanza, standing at her side. He cleared his throat. “What's going on here?”

From behind Pilar, Billie said, “Aldo. How are you?”

His eyes widened. “Billie?”

“Yes. How've you been?”

He coughed and sputtered, “Uhm, fine. Been fine.”

“Your nephew has insulted my sister-in-law. Told her she can't afford the sword she's holding and that even if she could he won't sell it to her because of her sex. She's challenged him to a sword fight. You might want to have the other customers leave. I hear she's very good with that thing, and you don't want them to see all the blood that's going to flow when she teaches him some manners.”

His eyes popped. He turned and glared at the nephew before smacking him smartly across his forehead. “We are here to sell merchandise! Go in the back!”

The nephew fled. Aldo adjusted his vest and visibly drew in a breath. He smiled. “My apologies, ma'am. My nephew is an idiot. Of course you may purchase the rapier.”

“Thank you.”

So the purchase was made. Aldo even threw in the jewel-encrusted leather scabbard for free as a token of goodwill. Pilar was pleased.

Once outside, Alanza turned to Billie. “I'm almost afraid to ask, but how do you know him?”

“When I first started working at the Black Pearl, he was one of my best customers.”

They laughed and walked the short distance to their hotel.

That night, as Pilar lay in bed, she thought back on the wonderful day. She'd actually learned to shop for herself, with help of course, but when the time came for purchases in the future she wouldn't feel so lost at sea. She wondered how Noah was doing and if he missed her. The same held true for her beautiful stallion. She couldn't wait to get home and see them both.

T
hat morning, Noah awakened in bed alone. He'd become so accustomed to Pilar's warmth beside him he'd slept fitfully without her and decided she could never spend the night away from him ever again. He could fully imagine her reaction was he insane enough to actually make such a demand, but he did miss her. Luckily for him, she and the rest of the family's ladies would be home later in the day. It was his hope that she'd had a good time and made purchases that she found pleasing. It was also his hope that the gift he had for her upon her return would please her as well. While traveling the world, he'd seen many beautiful things, but one of the most beautiful was a ruby necklace shown to him in India. He'd purchased it on the spot with the intentions of presenting it to his mother because he knew he'd never have a woman in his life worthy of it, but for some reason he never did. It was as if a part of him knew it wasn't meant for her even though the stones spoke to her fiery personality, so he'd locked it away along with a small treasure trove of other fine pieces in the family safe. He planned to retrieve it and ask his mother to present it to Pilar as a gift from her. Granted, him presenting it to Pilar personally would undoubtedly put a feather in his cap but he didn't want her to think he was attempting to buy her affections, nor did he want her to turn it down because she deemed it too expensive. He remembered the shock on her face when he paid for the room in St. Louis.

In the meantime he looked forward to the visit by Walter Douglas and Lavinia. He was interested in hearing what the man had to say, especially now that his own enterprise was presently at loose ends. With the
Alanza
at the bottom of the sea, he was still in the market for a ship to replace her, so he planned to talk to Walt about having a new one built or choosing one from any that might be available for sale in his shipyard.

After getting dressed, he headed downstairs for breakfast. He entered the dining room to find Max and his brothers already at the table and the babies close by in their high chairs. Little Maria was eating and having a toddler conversation with Logan while Tonio was happily decimating orange slices in his chubby little hands. Pulp clung to his face and there was juice all over his clothes. Drew sounded a tad frustrated as he told his son, “Antonio, either eat the oranges or I'm going to take them away.”

Tonio continued to mangle the fruit. Drew confiscated the slices that were still “alive” and Tonio cried in protest. Drew used a napkin to rid the tear-filled face of the orange pulp. Retaking his seat he groused, “I can't wait until Billie returns.”

“You should have had a nice, quiet little girl.” Logan offered.

Drew said wryly over his coffee cup. “I'll remind you of those words when she gets older and the boys start coming around.”

“That's what shotguns are for,” Logan pointed out and popped half of a biscuit in his mouth.

Noah helped himself to the mountain of scrambled eggs in a bowl in the center of the table, and added bacon and Bonnie's excellent biscuits to his plate.

Max said, “I hear Pilar's folks are on the way.”

He nodded and began eating. “She's been missing them terribly. It'll be nice to have her mother and sister here for however long they plan to stay.” He then told them about the business meeting with Walt and Lavinia Douglas.

“Any idea what he wants?” Max asked.

“No.”

“Weren't you keeping time with her once upon a time?” Drew asked.

“Once upon a time.”

“Does she know you're married?” Logan asked.

He nodded. “She was at the train station when Pilar and I arrived. When I made the introductions she made some thinly veiled snide comments.”

Max stated, “Hope she minds her manners while she's here. Your mother's liable to take a bullwhip to her otherwise.”

Noah agreed and hoped Lavinia would be on her best behavior—for her own sake.

After breakfast, Logan and Drew took their children and the Baby Jail over to Lupe Guiterrez's, one of the ranch's employees to spend the day; then, accompanied by Max, they rode into town.

While Noah waited for his guests to arrive, he went up to his room and sat down at the piano. A musical composition had been running through his head for the past few days and he wanted to begin working on it. He already knew what it would be called:
Pilar's Sonata.
Taking out some paper, he penned in a few opening measures and began to play. He wanted the piece to be the musical embodiment of their relationship: the mystery of their initial encounter, his quest to find her again, and the danger and excitement of the sword fight—a movement he planned to title “La Verdadera Destreza.” It would be followed by another representing the passion they found in each other, but for the moment, he'd concentrate on the sonata's beginning.

Two hours later, Bonnie interrupted him to let him know his guests were waiting in the parlor. He thanked her but was keenly disappointed about being pulled away from the piano. The notes had flowed well and he'd made quite a bit of progress. Rather than be rude and make them wait, he tucked the sheets away and left the room.

As he entered the parlor Noah was taken aback by how thin and gaunt the formerly robust Walter appeared.

“Pretty shocking, aren't I?” Walt cracked thinly.

“I have to agree, yes.”

Lavinia looked sad.

“Docs say I have six months tops, so you and I need to talk.”

Lavinia interrupted him. “Is there a boardinghouse where we can stay? I didn't see anything in town when we got off the train. We'll be heading back tomorrow.”

“You're more than welcome to be our guests here. We've plenty of room.”

“I'd like that,” Walt said with a smile. “Haven't seen that beautiful mother of yours in a dog's age.”

“She and my wife and sisters-in-law are in San Francisco but are due back later today.”

“Vini said your wife's a foreigner?”

Noah could fully imagine how Lavinia must've described Pilar. “She's Cuban, Walt. How about I have Bonnie bring some refreshments out to the patio and we can sit and talk there.”

They agreed and once they were settled, Walt said, “Beautiful place you have here.”

“Thank you. It's all my mother's doing.”

“I've yet to meet your mother,” Lavinia pointed out. “You never brought me here to meet her.”

“I'll amend that when she returns.”

“Vini's been spitting nails all week about your new wife. Told her years ago you weren't going to marry her. A man's not going to buy the cow when he can get the milk for free.” He laughed at that, which brought on a fit of coughing. He pulled out a handkerchief and dragged it across his lips.

Lavinia's eyes burned fiercely.

Hoping to derail the embarrassing trajectory of the conversation, Noah asked, “So, Walt. What did you wish to discuss?”